COLLETION OF ARTICLES

IDIOMS AND PHRASES 

1. By a long chalk- by majority
Example: He won the election by a long chalk from his nearest opponent.
2. By fits and starts- irregular spells
Example: She is always doing her work by fits and starts.
3. By fair means or foul- by hook or by crook, by and means, direct or indirect
Example: He got the assets by fair means or foul.
4. By far/by long odds- without fail/undoubtedlyExample: She is by far the best student of her college.
5. Day in, day out- day and night/everyday/continuously.
Example: She is really tired of doing the same work day in, day out.
6. Down in the mouth- out of spirits
Example: He is looking down in the mouth today.
7. Ever and anon/ever soon- often
Example: Ashok comes here ever and anon.
8. Fair and square- honest
Example: Be fair and square in your dealings.
9. Few and far between- rare
Example: The visit of my friends are few and far between.
10. For good/for goods and all- forever
Example: He left the village for good/ for goods and all.
11.From time immemorial- from very ancient times
Example: This has been the custom here from time immorial
12. Hand and glove/hand in glove- very intimate
Example: I am hand and glove/hand in glove with Oliver.
13. Head and front- the main part
Example: The head and front of my offence is this.
14. High and dry- abandoned
Example: He was left high and dry by his relatives when he lost all this money.
15. Hole and corner- secret
Example: I abhor hole and corner policy.
16. In abeyance- in a state of suspension.
Example: The order has been kept in abeyance
17. In a body- together
Example: They left the place in a body.
18. In deep water- in great dkifficulties
Example: She is in deep water and needs your help. That’s why she comes to work..
19. Ins and outs- full details
Example: I know the ins and outs of the matter.
20. In black and white- in writing
Example: Put it down in black and white.
21. In fine- in short
Example: In fine, he assured me of his support. 
22. In one’s element- in congenial position
Example: He is in his element in politics.
23. In round numbers- roughly
Example: The cost will be Rs. 500/- in round numbers.
24. In the red- in debt
Example: The company is in the end right from the inception.
25. Lock, stock and barrel- entirely
Example: The office was shifted from here lock, stock and barrel.
26. Neck and crop- completely
Example: He was turned out neck and crop.
27. Of the first water- of rare excellence
Example: He is a painter of the first water.
28. Once in a way- rarely
Example: Men like him are born once in a way.
29. On one’s last leg- coming to a close
Example: The tournament is on its last legs.
30. On the cards- likely
Example: A change of the ministry is on the cards.
31.On the dot- in time
Example: He is never marked late in his office, he reaches office on the dot.
32. On the rocks- failings
Example: Their business is on the rocks.
33. On the sly- secretary
Example: He helped your party on sly.
34. On tiptoe- greatly excited
Example: They are on tiptoe because the result will be published tomorrow.
35. On the wane- gradually declining.
Example: His popularity is on the wane.

 

HOW TO WRITE PRECIS 

First, write an outline of the main  ideas-those you see as most important. Think of this way-you are summarizing the lecture for a

friend who missed the class and the material will be on an upcoming test. Also, you may want to include a brief statement about the tone, audience, or purpose of the article.

Second, put your outline into sentence/paragraph form: Third, count the number of words and make necessary changes.

PRECIS WRITING

Precis Writing is an art of summarising and elaborated topic into fewer set of words, yet making it more expressive. This form of writing is vital not only from the point of view of competitive exams but also in your day to day life.

Precis, as used in the English language today, denotes a clear, brief, accurate, well-connected, abrstract, summary or gist of a written or spoken matter. It calls for understanding the passage and re-writing it in one-third of its length.

The objectives of Precis Writing is to bring out faithfully the salient or main idea, theme or meaning of an original document, writing of speech in a concise, clear, simple, coherent and natural language while preserving the spirit of the original passage.

The precis of a given paragraph should be the faithful representation of the ideas of the author in your own brief and simple language. No materials fact or points be omitted. Whatever the author wants to convey should be brought out clearly putting aside unessential details, superfluous phraseology and ambiguous verbosity. Ideas reproduced from the giv